Wetting machine



July 31, 1923.

WE'ITING MACHINE s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1919 July 31, 1923.

A E. JOHNSON ET AL WETTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ilalllelllburnlor July 31, 1923.

A. E. JOHNSON .ET AL WETTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 21 1919 3' Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 31, 1923.

' UNITED STATES 1,463,214 PA ENTOFFI ALBERT E. JOHNSON AND MERTON E. JOHNSON, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, AS-

SIGNOBS TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW

JERSEY, A CORPORATION or new JERSEY.

WETTING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT and MERroN E. JoHNsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Beverly, .in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Wetting Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures. I

0111' invention relates to machines for wetting various articles, for example shoe parts, as innersoles. to be wet is often of a non-absorptive character, a condition which may be produced in leather by the tannage. Objectsofthe invention are to overcome this difficulty, and -to provide a, machine which will eflectively wet resistive material, and which may generally be operated t moisten work thoroughly and rapidly.

In the attainment of these objects, a feature of the invention consists in a novel or-.

ganization for causing the fluid to be applied to enter the work, as by a relative veyor operates between and in proximity to the sections, there bemg-shown means, as.

a'tension devioe,for maintaining the conveyor in proximity to the absorbent material. or in the space between the sections. In its travel, the work is held against the applying member, in the present instance by a series of members extending'in the direction in which the work proceeds, this holding means being yieldable. By this a rran gement, the work is not only kept in rubhing engagement with the applying member. but is also heldfirmly againstthe conveyor.

In operating the work-conveyor in a fluid receptacle at a considerable speed, as is possible with the present machine, there is a tendency to carry the fluid over the end of E. JoHNsoN With such work, the surface Application filed November 21, 1919,. Serial No. 339,711;

the receptacle with the work at. the point where the latter emerges. To'prevent this. as a feature of the inventi0n,'we provide novel means for raising the work as 'it leaves the receptacle. This may beaccomplished by altering the direction of movement ofthe conveying means, its angular relation to. the

applying means being changed beyond the holding means. 1 By this expedient, a considerable portion ofthe adhering fluid which has not been absorbed by the. work is permitted to drain back to the, receptacle before said work leaves it. I v A, particular embodiment of the 'invention is illustrated in the ;-accomp'anying. drawings, in whichi 1 Fig. 1 is a top planview, with parts broken away, of ourimproved wettingmachine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevatlonther eoftand i Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevationlook-i ing from the right. in Fig. 2..

Shown as mounted upon abase or standard 10 is a receptacle 12, preferably shallow and elongated in one "direction. Rising above the receptacle at one side of and sup ported upon the baseis a tank 14 at the top of which is shown a filling opening provided with an air-tight closure 16. i From the bot- 7 tom of the tank leads a discharge pipe 18,

the flow through which may be controlled by a cock 20. The pipe 18 communicates with the interior of the receptacle 12, it being here illustrated as extending into the open upper end of an elbow 22, which is connected with aln opening in the sidewall of thereceptac e.

This arrangement furnishes a barome tric feed, which maintains in the receptacle a fluid level corresponding to the discharge opening-at the bottom of the pipe 18. To cause the fluid to pass from the tank to the receptacle steadily rather than in irregular; gushes, we prefer to form at one side of the bottom wall of. the pipe a notch 24,,throueh.

which the fluid flow is steadilymaintained as the work is moistened in and thus withdraws fluid from the receptacle. There may be a drain opening at. the bottom of the re ce taole normally closed by a plug 25.

Projecting up-wardly from the'bottom of the receptacle are pairs'fof lugs 26, 26' and 28, 28 situated near its opposite ends. Carried upon horizontalupper surfaces of the lugs i a upporting member, preferably in the form of a grating and being in two sections 30, 3O separated by a space 32 which lies longitudinally of the receptacle at or near its center. Each of the lugs 28 has at its outer side an upstanding shoulder 34, and against these shoulders the grating sec tions may be forced by screws 36 threaded through the opposite receptacle wall. Drawn across the tops of the grating sections by pairs of bars 38, 38 secured to the ends of the sections by screws 40, are covering sheets 42 of absorbent material, as bur lap. The location of the sheets with relation to the discharge opening of the pipe 18 is such that they are maintained substantially at the level ofthe fluid and constantly and uniformly moistened.

Arranged to travel across the end walls of the receptacle, through the space 32 between the grating sections and then below the receptacle, is an endless conveyor, conveniently furnished by v a chain 44. This chain is supported upon rolls 46 and 48, the former roll being rotatably mounted upon a bracket 50 fixed at one end of the receptacle,

I while the roll 48 is ournaled upon a bracket sorbent material.

, sorbent material.

or slide 52 mounted to move in ways formed at the bottom of the receptacle. A spring 54, extending between a pin 56 depending from the under side of the receptacle and a pin 58 secured in the slide, exerts its tension to separate the roll 48 from the roll 46, and thus hold the chain taut with its upper run between the grating sections and substantially in transverse alinement with the ab The chain may be driven by a pulley 60 fast upon the spindle of the roll 46, over which pulley and over guide pulleys 64 a belt 62 leads to some suitable source of power. In the periphery of the driven roll 46 are secured radial pins 66 arranged to enter openings 68 in alternate links of the chain 44, these serving to furnish positive engagement between the chain and its driving means. Outwardly from .the intermediate links of the chain extend pointed projections 70 for the purpose of engaging the work to carry it over the ab The ends of the c011- veyor, where it is exposed to accidental contact with the person of the operator or ob jects about the machine, is protected by guards 72, 72.

Lying across the top of thereceptacle near each end is a supporting bar 74 movable vertically upon studs 76 rising from openings in lugs formed upon the side walls of the, receptacle and secured therein by set screws 78. In each support is a series of vertical openings, in which are fixed by set screws 80 the upturned ends of contact rods 82, the'main portions of which extend horizontally above and in close proximity to the upper surface of the absorbent material upon both grating sections. Springs 84 the rods 82 yieldingly hold the work against the absorbent material and also against the projections 70 of the conveyor to cause its effective engagement and its advance thereby in firm rubbing contact with the former. F or convenient presentation of the work to the conveyor, we furnish at the end of the receptacle, above the roll 48, a table 88, at the center of which is a slot to permit the passage of the conveyor. Guides 92, 92, converging inwardly at opposite sides of the table, form a throat for directing the work into the machine. Fixed to the side of the adjacent supporting bar 74 is a curved pressure plate 94 preferably formed of spring metal, with its under surface reaching over the table close to the points of the conveyorprojections 70. As the work is inserted between this plate and the table, the former insures the feeding engagement of the projections with the work. The diameter of the roll 48 is such that the conve or at this end enters the receptacle in a substantially horizontal direction at the level of the absorbent material. The roll 46 is of greater diameter, so that its top lies at some distance above the end wall of the receptacle. The central pair of rods 82 are situated opposite the space 32, so that they may contact with the edges of the conveyor chain, or with the work carried thereby. After the chain, in its travel from right to left, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, passes beyond the curved end portions of the rods 82, it is directed by the roll 46 upwardly, emerging from the receptacle at a substantial angle with relation to the surface ofthe absorbent material. In consequence of this, the unabsorbed fluid adhering to the work has an opportunity to drain back to the receptacle before the work passes over the end wall. It is at this point livered upon a slotted plate 96, and, as the conveyor changes its direction, moving; downwardly about the outer side ofthe roll 46, the conveyor projections are withdrawn from the work, and it is thrown from the plate into a suitable receptacle.

It is thought that the operation of the machine will be clear from what has already been said; but to outline it briefly, it may be stated that the work pieces, as innersoles which are to be wet upon one side, are fed one by one upon the table 88, being centralised by the guide walls 92 and urged into engagement with the conveyor projections by the plate 94. These projections thereupon carry the work pieces bet-ween the moistened absorbent material 42 and the contact rods 82, the latter maintaining the feeding engagement, and at the same time so.

-, and a conveyor arranged to move simulcausing the rubbing of the surfaceto be wet in its travel over the material l2 that its fibers are disturbed, facilitating theabsorption of the fluid, which1is thoroughly worked in to the surface. After passing beyond the contact rods, the direction qr travel of the work is changed upwardly to carry it clear of the end wall and allow the excess of fluid to drain back to the receptacle ating extended members arranged for simultaneous contactwith a plurality of workpieces, applying means associate'd'therewith for subjecting the work to the action of a fluid, and meansarrangedto produce relative travel of the members and thereby bring the work into contact with the fluid-applying means. 7 I I f 2. A wetting machine comprising co-operating extended members, absorbent material associated with one of said members, and means arranged to reduce movement of the other member an thereby move the work along the absorbent material.

3. A wetting machinecomprising a stationary support, a covering for the support, means for supplying a fluid tot-he covering,

taneously a plurality of work-pieces-incontact with-the support-covering.

4:. A wetting machine comprising a "stationary member presenting an extended sup? porting surface, means resting upon said surface and arranged to apply a fluid to the work, and a conveyor arranged to travel along the support and to engage 'the work.

5. A wetting-machine comprising a fluid receptacle, absorbent material supported therein, and a work-conveyor arranged to travel along the absorbent material.

6. A wetting machine comprising receptacle, means for maintaining a fluid at a constant level therein, a sheet of absorbent material supported at the fluidv level, and means arranged to draw work in contact with the absorbent material.

7. In a wetting machine, a fluid receptacle. a fiuid applying member situated in the receptacle and presenting asectional applying surface, and a work-conveyor operating between the sections and in proximity to the plane of the appl ing surface.

8 In averting machine, "a fluid reca ta'cle, a fluid-applying member situated in,"

the receptacle and presentinga sectionalapplying surface, and a 'conv'eyor operating between the sections and having work-engagmg of the applying surface.

9. A wetting machinecomprisingco-op crating extended members, absorbent material associated with one of said members,

projections extending out of the plane means arranged to produce movement of the other member and thereby move the work along the absorbent material, and means to to the absorbent material;

7 l0. Awetting machine comprising a sta maintain the movable member in proximity tionarysupport, means associated therewith for applying a fluid to the worlg'a conveyo-r z arranged to move the work in contact with the fluid applying means, and a tension 'device to maintain the conveyor in proximity to the fluid applying means. 11. In a Wetting machine, aifluid receptacle, a sectional fluid-applying member in the receptacle, a' work-conveyor operatingbetween the sections of the applying mernv her, and a tension device drawing the conveyor into the space between the sections.

12. In a wetting machine, an extended fluid-applying member, means traveling along the applying member to move the work thereover, and means for holding the worlragaimt the applying member. 3

'13. In a wetting machine, an extended means traveling,

fluid ap-plying -membe'r, along the' applying member to move the.

work thereo'ver, and means extending along the surface of the applying member 'forholding I the work against the applying member. l I

14, In a wetting Inachine, an extended fluid-applying member, "means traveling along the applying memberCto move the I work thereover, and x yiel'dable means for holding the work against the applying mem-' ber.

15. In a wettingv machine, an extended fluid-applying member, means traveling along the applying member to move the work t-hereover, and a series of members for contact with the work extendingin the di rection oftravelf I 16, In a wetting machine,

along the applying member to FJIIlOVB' the D an extended I fl'uld applying :rnember, means traveling work thereover, a series of members forcon tact with the work extending in the-direc tion of travel, and springs arranged to press the members toward the applying member.

17. In a wetting machine, an extended fluid-applying member, means travelin along the applying member to move the worf: thereo'ver, a series of members for Contact with the work extending in the: directionof travel, springs arranged-to press the members..tow;ard .the applying int-amber, and means ,ar angedto 1v. .y the te-nsionoi' the springs.

.18.;In wetting machine, an extended fluid-applying member, Vmeans traveling along the applying .;member to ,move the work thereover, a series of, members for contact with the work extending in the direction of travel, and 1a movable support for themembersat each end of the series.

19. In wettingmachine, an extended fluid-applying member, .means traveling along the applying -member ,to move the workthereover, a series of members for. contact with the work extending in the direction of travel, a movable support for the members at each .end of the series, and springs cooperating with the supports.

'20. In a'wettingmachine, amember presenting a ifluid-applying surface, a work conveyortraveling along the applying suri'ace, and a work-pressingmemberco-operating with the conveyor.

21. In a wetting machine, .a 'fluideapplyillg :member, a work-conveyor traveling along the applying member, a work-pressing nember and atension device arranged to draw qt-he "conveyor :ag-ainst the :pressing member.

.22.1l19 wetting machine, a fluid receptacle, a fluid-applying member situated in.

the receptacle, means extending along the applylng member andarranged to hold the work incontact ,therewlth, (and a conveyor arranged to move the work betweenthe applying means and holding means.

In wetting 11L2tCl1ll16, a receptacle, means 'ifor maintaining fluid at a constant level therein, a grating situated near the flifd level, absorbent material carried by the grating, and .an endless conveyor ranged to move the worlr in contact witht-he absorbent:inaterial.

In a wetting machine, ,a receptacle, means i or maintaining fluid at constant level. therein, a grating situated near the fluid level, absorbent material carried by the grating, and an endless conveyor having rojections arranged :to move the Work in contact with the-absorbent material.

25. In 1a wetting machine, a receptacle, means for maintaining fluid .at :a constant level therein, a grating situated near the fluidlevel, absorbent nnaterial carried by the grati-ng,. an.endless conveyorarranged to move theworlr in contact With the absorbent material, :supports :for the conveyor {one of which isimonntedfor movement, and-imeans for-;moving the supportito apply tension to the conveyor.

.26. In a wetting machine, a receptacle, means tor-maintaining flnid at a constant level therein, separated sections of gratin-g situated near the fluid level, absorbent material carried .by the gratingrsections, and an eI dlsSs conveyormovable between the seotions.

27. In a wetting machine, a receptacle, means fonmaintaining fluid near a constant level therein, separatedsections or" grating situated at the, fluid level, absorbent material carried by the grating sections, an endless conveyormovable between the sections, and aspiring drawing the conveyor into alim- Inent withthe, grating.

28. In a wetting machine, a receptacle, means for :maintaining fluid ata constant level therein, a grating situated near the fluid level, absorb,ent, material carried by the grating, an endless conveyor. arranged to move the work in contact with the absorbent material, and separated contact members ex tending over theabsorbent,material in the direction of movement of the conveyor.

29. In a wetting machine, a. receptacle, means for maintaining fluid at a constant level therein, a gratingsituated near the fluid level,,absorbent material carried by the grating, an endless conveyor arranged to move the work in contact with the absorbent materiahsnpports extending across the absorbent material. transversely to thedirection. ofmovement of the conveyor, and members ;for contact with the work mounted upon the supports.

30. In awetting machine, a receptacle, means for maintaining fluid at a constant level therein, a grating situated near the fluid level, absorbent material carried by the grating, an endless conveyor arranged to move the work in. contact with the absorbent material, supports extending across the ab sorbentmaterial transversely to the direction ofmovement of the conveyor, members for contact with the work mounted upon the supports, andmeans cooperating with the supportstofoijce the contact members toward the absorbent material.

.31. In a wetting machine, a fluid receptocle,.meansprovided with spaced projections for separately engaging and moving successive work-pieces into and out of the receptacle, anchmeansarrangedto raise each piece as it leaves the receptacle.

:32. Inn-wetting machines fluid receptacle, a fluid-applying member therein, cooperating worh-conveyor movable within and out of the receptacle, and means arranged to change the direction of movemen ofthe;conveyornear its point ofernergence from the receptacle.

33. in a vvetting machine, a fluid receptacle, and mean .for moving work along the level of the fluid and out of the receptacle. said moving means being situated above and substantially parallel to the fluid-level in the receptacle and upwardly inclined at the end I ofsaid receptacle.

134-. In a wetting machine, an extended fluid-applying member, "means traveling along the applying member to move thefimove the work in contact with the absorbent work thereover, means for holding the work against the applying member, the traveling means extendingbeyond the applying means,

and means arranged to change the angular relation of the traveling means to the applying means beyond the holdingmeans.

35. In a wetting machine, a fluid receptacle, a fluid-applying member situated in the receptacle, means extending along the applying member and arranged to hold the work in contact therewith, and a conveyor arranged to move the work between the applying means and holding means, said conveyor extending beyond the holding means and rising above the applying means. i

36. In a wetting machine, a receptacle, means for maintaining fluid at a constant level therein, a grating situated near the fluid level, absorbent material carried by the grating, an endless conveyor arranged to tmaterial, and movable supports for the conveyor one of which supports is outside the receptacle and extends above the absorbent material.

37. In a wetting machine, a receptacle,

' meansfor maintaining fluidat a constant level therein, a grating situated near the fluid level, absorbent material carried by the grating, an endless conveyor arranged to move the work in contact with the absorbent material, movable supports for the conveyor one of which supports is outside the recep tacle and extends above the absorbent material, and means for holding the'conveyor 

